# n-146 Objectives Considered

a) South end of Elliot key- Key Biscayne Spec Management zone and artificial reefs in the area

b) Should be according to James Byrnes presentation 9 miles apart from any other preserve Biscayne Nat park and remnant seagrass areas.

c) Needs further refinement with BBAP & Key Bisc Special Mgt Zone.

d) Exclude the outer reef with artificial reefs for fisherman. This area already is no spearfishing.
East and North of Rainbow reef and south of Emerald Reef.

Group took the polygon to the shoreline to incorporate seagrass and mixed harbottom habitat.

South boundary line it up with the lighthouse Bill Baggs north boundary could be from the buildings onshore Village of Key Biscayne

BNP (no take) boundaries are just south of this area- distance between the polygon and Nat Park is about 10 miles.

* Note needs further refinement with BBAP & Key Bisc Special Mgt Zone.

Bait fishermen do use the southern area. They come around the southern cut of Key Biscayne. But dive boats do not come out of there. There are two dive boat operators: one comes through bear cut and the other comes through government cut. Emerald and Rainbow reefs are only about 20 feet deep. Atlantis is the same as Memorial reef, Orion reef is about 120’.

Emerald reef/Memorial reef are popular dive sites with 7 mooring buoys as well. Restrict reserve to certain areas seaward; divers get shallower areas and fishermen get deeper areas. Wrecks are further out in sand deeper than 60’-300’; remains are of a 727 jet (Spirit of Miami reef). Some wrecks have been moved by hurricanes and have been moved closer to the reefs. Barge area is popular for fishermen to catch sardines in the area.

Restriction on the reefs near the Spirit of Miami reef and the Atlantis/Memorial reef for no spearfishing; called the special management zone; but not clearly marked and has no obvious geographic markers; big issue.